I got a Chinese driver's license. It took one day, one test, and a lot of pointing at pictures.
My friend from Germany has an international driver's permit. But in China, that's not enough. You need a Chinese license to drive legally.He decided to get one.
Who can get a Chinese driver's license:
If you have a valid driver's license from your home country, you can convert it to a Chinese license. You don't need to take driving lessons.
You DO need to pass:
• A written theory test (100 questions, 90% to pass)
• A health check (vision, color blindness, basic reflexes)
The process:
Step 1: Documents
• Passport + copies
• Residence permit (minimum 3 months validity)
• Foreign driver's license + official translation (by a certified translation company in China)
• Temporary residence registration form
• Health check report (from a designated hospital — takes 30 minutes, costs ¥50-100)
• 8 passport photos
Step 2: Apply at the DMV
• Go to the local vehicle management office (车管所)
• Submit documents
• Pay ¥410 (test fee + license fee)
Step 3: Take the theory test
• The test is on a computer
• 100 multiple-choice questions
• 45 minutes
• 90 correct answers = pass
• Available in English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic (depending on the city)
Step 4: Get your license
• If you pass, the license is issued same day
• Valid for 6 years
The theory test:
Some questions are logical:
"What should you do at a red light?" (Stop.)
Some are... Chinese:
"When driving on a mountain road and encountering livestock, you should: A) Honk loudly B) Speed past C) Slow down and let them pass D) Ask the herder to move them"
The answer is C, but the fact that D is an option tells you something about Chinese driving culture.
Study materials:
• App: "驾照考试" (Jiàzhào Kǎoshì) — has practice tests in English
• Website: Some DMVs provide English study guides
• You need to memorize some China-specific rules (e.g., priority rules, speed limits, penalty point system)
The reality of driving in China:
• Traffic is chaotic. Scooters come from everywhere.
• Parking is a nightmare in cities.
• Didi is so cheap that many foreigners never bother driving.
• But: for road trips (e.g., Yunnan, Xinjiang), having a license is amazing.
My German friend's result: He passed on his first try (94/100). Got his license same day. He drove to the Great Wall the following weekend.
"I thought getting a Chinese license would be impossible bureaucracy. It was actually easier than renewing my German license. One day. One test. And I was driving on the Great Wall highway."
Anyone else got a Chinese driver's license? How was the theory test?
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